Recall gives voters the right to reconsider their choice of an elected official; however, it does not automatically result in removal of an official from office. It provides an opportunity for voters to require an elected official to run for office again before the expiration of his or her term.

An official must be in office for one year before a recall can be initiated.

The number of signatures required to trigger a recall is one-quarter of the number of votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election.

The requirements for initiating recall efforts are very specific and must be carefully followed. The rules may be different depending on whether the official is a Congressional, State, County or Local official. Please consult the recall manuals on this page.

To find them, go to CFIS and click "View Registrants" on the left-side menu. Click "Continue," which will take you to the search screen. In the upper left-hand corner, use the pull-down menu for "Registrant Type" to select "Recall," and click "Search."

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued Opinion 4-11 on November 3, 2011, regarding whether, in a recall election for governor, there must be an election of governor and lieutenant governor jointly under article V, section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution, regardless of whether there has been a recall petition for the lieutenant governor under article XIII, section 12 of the Wisconsin Constitution.

The Government Accountability Board ordered recall elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and four members of the State Senate, based on the six recall petitions filed on January 17, 2012 against those officeholder.

In Wisconsin, election petitions have always been public records, and in the interest of transparency, the Government Accountability Board continued that tradition by posting copies of the petitions online.

Recall petitions were removed from the website in early 2013 because the recall process is complete. They are still available in electronic format by making a public records request. The cost is $40 for four DVDs containing all the petitions in PDF form. Send requests and make checks payable to: Wisconsin Elections Commission, PO Box 7984, Madison, WI 53707-7984.

Like all other public officials, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin are not eligible for recall until they have served at least one year in the current term of office. An official who has been recalled and survived a recall election cannot be recalled again during his or her current term in office.

The number of signatures required to trigger a recall election for Governor and/or Lieutenant Governor is one-quarter votes cast for Governor in last gubernatorial election.

2012 Recall Committees

For more information about each recall committee, including copies of registration, petitions and challenges as they are filed, please click on its name.